Selection of resistant species of indoor plants for the health improvement the air environment of interiors

¹ All-Russian research institute medicinal and aromatic plants, laboratory of the Botanical Garden, Grina str.7, 117216, Moscow, Russia
² All-Russian research institute medicinal and aromatic plants, Toxicology department, Grina str.7, 117216, Moscow, Russia

^* Corresponding author: fitovit@gmail.com

Abstract

Our studies show that at low illuminance, close to the light compensation point, plants of all studied species (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng, Rhoicissus rhomboidea (E. Mey. ex Harv.) Planch., Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) have a smaller total leaves area and low decorative qualities, and they have not antimicrobial activity. Plants grown under illuminance from 500 to 2000 lux, depending on the species, form a large above-ground biomass, live several times longer, have a pronounced phytoncidal effect (antimicrobal activity) on air microflora and Staphylococcus aureus. The maximum phytoncidal activity of E. cardamomum, P. amboinicus and R. rhomboidea are observed at an illuminance of 2000 lux (respectively 29 %, 36 % and 24 %). Phytoncidal activity decreases 2-3 times with a decline in the illuminance level to 500 lux, and in Indian borage, as a more light-loving plant, it disappears altogether. Phytoncidal activity of P. amboinicus(Indian borage) is 32% in relation to Staphylococcus aureus strain 209- P. Phytocompositions from resistant species of indoor plants reduce the number of microorganisms in the air of classrooms of secondary school by 45% -58%, and ones of primary school - by 5.2-7.3 times.